What do you think?
Rate this book
Wren
I am special. My mother always told me this. My voice has power. From the moment I could, I sang. The songs I sang had power. That is how I came to be here in this small, gray cell. Now I am mute. I cannot sing or even talk. I try and there is nothing. I don't know what they have given me or done to me for this to happen. Singing is magic. Singing makes things happen. It can change your way of thinking; it makes you smile, laugh or weep.
For some, like me, singing is life. For some, like me, singing brings death.
For some, like me, singing is life. For some, like me, singing brings death.
- GenresYoung Adult
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2014
214 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 6, 2015
Wren is a wonderful story of magic, bravery, and family ties. Set in an apocalyptic world where magic abounds, but must be hidden for fear of being burned at the stake, a young girl must stand up for her family and friends. I really liked the story and it kept me reading until the very end. Wren is brave, but reckless, and she has a strong moral compass. The other characters are likable and well developed. It does finish up open-ended, so there will be a wait for book 2.
July 14, 2015
A wonderfully well written story of witchcraft, magic, power, family, and death. Wren is a unique girl that can sing with her magic. Loved the charcters and how they fight against and evil priest. I truly enjoyed reading it
January 18, 2015
What a great book for children and adults! It kept me engaged and wanting to read more! I loved that it has strong and unique characters! I can't wait for more!
October 2, 2016
I loved this story! Regina O’Connell places you in a future world where society has devolved back to something that feels somewhat medieval, and the rules are…well, the rules are different than anything I’ve ever seen. Families don’t consist of a mother, a father, and all of their children. I’m hoping this is a nod to the progress we’ve made in our own society’s idea of what a family is and the rich diversity that accompanies the progress we’ve made. In any event, daughters live with mothers and grandmothers, sons live with fathers and grandfathers, and none of them live together or ever see each other after their coupling. In fact, men and women who work together to parent a child live in different towns entirely. Each town is ruled by a priest. This isn’t a religious thing, more like a Mayor with supreme power over everything. Adding all of this together, Ms. O’Connell has definitely created a world that is unique and very interesting.
All of that being said, my absolute favorite aspect of Wren’s world, is how Ms. O’Connell handles magic. The magic is captured in songs, and songs sung by powerful witches have real power. These songs wield so much power that most songs are deemed illegal. In fact, the only songs acceptable to sing are those found in a book of songs. I don’t want to spoil too much of the story, so I’ll let Ms. O’Connell’s own spectacular narrative voice explain how all of this came to be and where the story leads.
Before wrapping this up, I have to touch on Ms. Connell’s narrative voice. We see the story through Wren’s eyes. There is an innocence in the narration that you would expect in a story told from a child’s point of view. This was completely enjoyable. For me, this innocence added to the drama. There are a couple of somewhat dark themes that are both enthralling and unsettling in the way Wren describes them.
I highly recommend this book. This is an enchanting fantasy with magic, action, and a wonderful contrast between light and dark themes. I can’t wait to read the next book!
All of that being said, my absolute favorite aspect of Wren’s world, is how Ms. O’Connell handles magic. The magic is captured in songs, and songs sung by powerful witches have real power. These songs wield so much power that most songs are deemed illegal. In fact, the only songs acceptable to sing are those found in a book of songs. I don’t want to spoil too much of the story, so I’ll let Ms. O’Connell’s own spectacular narrative voice explain how all of this came to be and where the story leads.
Before wrapping this up, I have to touch on Ms. Connell’s narrative voice. We see the story through Wren’s eyes. There is an innocence in the narration that you would expect in a story told from a child’s point of view. This was completely enjoyable. For me, this innocence added to the drama. There are a couple of somewhat dark themes that are both enthralling and unsettling in the way Wren describes them.
I highly recommend this book. This is an enchanting fantasy with magic, action, and a wonderful contrast between light and dark themes. I can’t wait to read the next book!
August 17, 2015
Wren, by Regina O'Connell, is truly an unexpected jewel with the most humble of names. Don't be deterred by the 'recommended age'. This is a treasure that can be enjoyed by all ages.
In a world a blink away from our own, there lives a girl named Wren. This is an appropriate name for a fledgling magick user whose gift is to weave spellsongs. It's a gift that runs in her family.
Wren lives in a place that deems magick a bad thing. I love how it is described that magick once existed, but became the energy used to fuel technology. I found that a very interesting interpretation.
Given the history spoke of in the book, I think I would label Wren as a dystopia. Wars have led to an almost Dark Ages sort of living. I came to despise the domineering priest who leads Wren's village.
One of my favourite quotes, from the song Key to Twilight, is 'Auguries of destruction be a lullaby for rebirth.' Wren's story, thus far, has been one of heartbreak and loss, but also one of gain. Family lost, family gained. A home lost, a home gained, and with the gains comes another to help teach Wren how to use her magickal gift.
I fell in love with Regina O'Connell's Wren right away. Great description and overall writing draw you, and t questions raised as you go along will keep you wanting to know more. I absolutely adore that it is truly written in Wren's voice, that of a child bridging young adulthood.
This book is clearly intended to have a sequel and I can't wait! Brava, Ms O'Connell!
In a world a blink away from our own, there lives a girl named Wren. This is an appropriate name for a fledgling magick user whose gift is to weave spellsongs. It's a gift that runs in her family.
Wren lives in a place that deems magick a bad thing. I love how it is described that magick once existed, but became the energy used to fuel technology. I found that a very interesting interpretation.
Given the history spoke of in the book, I think I would label Wren as a dystopia. Wars have led to an almost Dark Ages sort of living. I came to despise the domineering priest who leads Wren's village.
One of my favourite quotes, from the song Key to Twilight, is 'Auguries of destruction be a lullaby for rebirth.' Wren's story, thus far, has been one of heartbreak and loss, but also one of gain. Family lost, family gained. A home lost, a home gained, and with the gains comes another to help teach Wren how to use her magickal gift.
I fell in love with Regina O'Connell's Wren right away. Great description and overall writing draw you, and t questions raised as you go along will keep you wanting to know more. I absolutely adore that it is truly written in Wren's voice, that of a child bridging young adulthood.
This book is clearly intended to have a sequel and I can't wait! Brava, Ms O'Connell!
July 25, 2015
A story of hope and heartbreak, family values and a dream of a better world. Regina has written the story from the view of a young girl, who grows several years through the book. She has done a fairly good job of keeping to the perspective of a child. The story moves pretty quick and introduces a lot of characters in a short time. Some I felt I got to know well, and some of them I just don't quite get attached to. Wren as a character is charming and fun, but the story is supposed to center around her powers, which are hinted at being very powerful but you never get to see her do anything really amazing.
I am assuming that her powers will grow as the series progresses, which I will be watching for and absolutely want to continue to read. I love the originality of the story, and the world was well thought out and well explained. Great job on this book, and I hope to see the second one very soon!
I am assuming that her powers will grow as the series progresses, which I will be watching for and absolutely want to continue to read. I love the originality of the story, and the world was well thought out and well explained. Great job on this book, and I hope to see the second one very soon!
February 28, 2016
Wren is the story of a young girl with a special gift who lives in a village where magic is out-lawed. Marriage and families are also forbidden. The evil priest rules the village with a secret agenda. A rumour of a free village creates a yearning in Wren and her grandmother. Finally, an event forces them to flee their home. Will they be able to find the free village? Does it really exist? But no matter how far they go, Wren knows that she must return to her village when she is prepared. Something very precious to her has been left behind.
I loved this story, told all from Wren's perspective. The pace moved well, adventures and danger met the main characters at every turn. I was sad to see the book end and glad to know that the story will continue!
I loved this story, told all from Wren's perspective. The pace moved well, adventures and danger met the main characters at every turn. I was sad to see the book end and glad to know that the story will continue!
August 18, 2015
Wren is the story of a young girl with a special gift who lives in a village where magic is out-lawed. Marriage and families are also forbidden. The evil priest rules the village with a secret agenda. A rumour of a free village creates a yearning in Wren and her grandmother. Finally, an event forces them to flee their home. Will they be able to find the free village? Does it really exist? But no matter how far they go, Wren knows that she must return to her village when she is prepared. Something very precious to her has been left behind.
I loved this story, told all from Wren's perspective. The pace moved well, adventures and danger met the main characters at every turn. I was sad to see the book end and glad to know that the story will continue!
I loved this story, told all from Wren's perspective. The pace moved well, adventures and danger met the main characters at every turn. I was sad to see the book end and glad to know that the story will continue!
October 5, 2015
Wren has special powers but she lives in a village that outlaws magic, as well as marriage.
This is a beautiful, charming story written for all ages. The writing is gorgeous and the story perfectly constructed. I loved Wren and strongly disliked the priest who ran the town.
With a promise of a free village, Wren will seek out a place she's always dreamed of. This is a story of family, love, and perseverance. It's an interested combination of dystopian and adventure, with a very unique premise. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I'm interested to read the next one, as this seems to be a series.
This is a beautiful, charming story written for all ages. The writing is gorgeous and the story perfectly constructed. I loved Wren and strongly disliked the priest who ran the town.
With a promise of a free village, Wren will seek out a place she's always dreamed of. This is a story of family, love, and perseverance. It's an interested combination of dystopian and adventure, with a very unique premise. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I'm interested to read the next one, as this seems to be a series.
December 25, 2014
This was an interesting book with a strong female lead who embarks on an adventure with her grandmother to rescue her baby brother. Wren is magical, but magic is outlawed in her world. The story makes for a thrilling quest-like journey in which the protagonist meets a variety of colorful characters and animals. It's a great kids book and I recommend it to anyone with daughters aged 8-12, and maybe even older if they're still into it. I think parents will enjoy this book as well.
December 1, 2015
Wren is a book for someone with an hour to kill who is in the mood for a fast-paced action/ dystopian fantasy. You are quickly dropped into the story and it’s easy to devour it. I read it in one sitting – so clearly it’s a fun way to pass time. Read my full review here: https://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/...
January 1, 2016
I love this book with a passion. I have not ever read a book that captured me as much as this one. It got in my feelings, had me on the edge of my seat, had me flipping through pages as fast as I could to figure out what was next! And they way it ended left me begging for more!!! Desperately need book number two!
December 27, 2016
Love this book
Oh wow, this book was so amazing. I loved it so much. I read it in 3 days once I truly started, I couldn't stop. I can't wait to read the next book, and the author is so sweet to her fans. Which I am a big fan. This is a must read for every age. It's just that good.
Oh wow, this book was so amazing. I loved it so much. I read it in 3 days once I truly started, I couldn't stop. I can't wait to read the next book, and the author is so sweet to her fans. Which I am a big fan. This is a must read for every age. It's just that good.
August 19, 2016
The story is gripping and exciting. I love all the characters in the story they play their role very well. The story itself is exciting and intriguing. I had difficulty finishing the story because I was afraid of the ending. I was extremely nervous on the outcome of the battle and was hoping none of my favorite characters would die. That was nerve wrecking. I can't wait for the next book. RECOMMENDED.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews